Outrageous Crypto announcement made (!) ahead of crunch PGA Tour vs LIV Golf match
The Showdown between Rory McIlroy & Scottie Scheffler vs Brooks Koepka & Bryson DeChambeau has been handed a title sponsor, Crypto.com.
News has just reached us that Crypto.com has been confirmed as the title sponsor of next month's 'Showdown' between Rory McIlroy & Scottie Scheffler vs Brooks Koepka & Bryson DeChambeau, with a giant prize purse being paid in cryptocurrency.
According to Sports Business Journal's Josh Carpenter who broke the initial update on X / Twitter, organizers of 'The Showdown' were seeking between $8m and $10m for title sponsorship.
The Showdown between PGA Tour superstars McIlroy & Scheffler and LIV Golf duo Koepka and DeChambeau will take place at Shadow Creek GC in Las Vegas on 17 December.
It has been confirmed to be broadcast live on TNT at 6pm E.T.
Crypto.com is a cryptocurrency exchange company based out of Singapore that offers various financial services, including an app, exchange and non-custodial DeFi wallet, NFT marketplace and direct payment service in cryptocurrency.
The company's user base increased from 10m users in early 2021 to 100m by mid-2024, and its workforce has now exceeded 4,000 employees.
Regarding sponsorships and marketing activities, Crypto.com attracted actor Matt Damon as a brand ambassador, collaborated with Paris Saint-Germain Football Club and secured the naming rights for the Staples Center, now known as the Crypto.com Arena, in a 20-year agreement valued at $700m.
And now The Showdown between McIlroy and Scheffler vs Koepka and DeChambeau on 17 December marks yet another partnership for Crypto.
'Crypto.com is coming on board to title sponsor next month's "Showdown" between Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka,' tweeted SBJ's Carpenter.
'Organizers had been seeking $8-10m for the sponsorship.
'News release says the purse will be paid entirely in cryptocurrency.
'Will air at 6pm ET on TNT.'
The Showdown's venue, Shadow Creek Golf Course, hosted the first edition of The Match between Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods in 2018.
Golf reporter Dan Rapaport initially claimed the four superstar players were set to receive $4m each.
Sports Illustrated's Bob Harig also reported the golfers will receive appearance fees instead of prize money.
But after today's latest update of Crypto being announced as title sponsor, it remains to be seen exactly how much each player will be paid.
The extraordinary sum of $4m each being reported by Rapaport is the same amount an individual wins for triumphing at LIV Golf events.
And it's more money than what each golfer received in first place prize money at the majors this year.
Scheffler picked up $3.6m for winning his second Masters in April title while DeChambeau pocketed the same figure at the U.S. Open.
Xander Schauffele won $3.33m when he won the US PGA at Valhalla and $3m when he claimed The Open Championship at Royal Troon.
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